Accurate means
written in exact conformity to fact. In police reports, the facts
are reported correctly and specifically.

Clear

Clear means the
report is plain or evident to the reader; the meaning is
unmistakable. The report leaves no doubt in the readers' mind.

Complete(click for detail)

Reports must have
all the necessary parts and include the who, what, when, where,
why, and how. Crime reports must include the corpus delicti of the
crime.

Concise(click for detail)

Concise means to
express all the necessary information in as few words as possible.
It does not imply leaving our part of the facts in interest of brevity.

Factual(click for detail)

A fact is something
real and presented objectively. Facts are things the officer can
prove or disprove. Inference and unsubstantiated opinion are not
facts and should not be written in police reports. Officers write
inferences when they reach conclusion in their reports, based on
premises, rather than facts. Unsubstantiated opinions are usually
based on premises; however, sometimes they are based on prejudice
and bias.

Objective(click for detail)

Objective police
reports are not influenced by emotion, personal prejudice, or
personal opinion. Officers should record all of the facts,
remembering there are always two sides to each story.